William Makepeace Thackeray

Sitter in 44 portraitsArtist of 2 portraitsA novelist known for his satirical works, Thackeray studied law and art before taking up writing professionally as a journalist for a variety of publications, including Fraser’s Magazine and Punch. His feature, Jeames’ Diary, for Punch attracted much attention with its focus on the theme of English snobbery. He achieved more widespread success with Vanity Fair (1847-8), which told the story of social climber Becky Sharp and satirised London’s nouveau riche and upper class society. Pendennis (1848-50) and The Newcomes (1855) confirmed his status as a major novelist. Following his unexpected death at the age of fifty-two, an estimated 7,000 people attended his funeral.

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